Swine Flu Pandemic

Some things to remember:
No vaccine is available at the start of a pandemic. A vaccine can only be produced once a new virus exists and people have been exposed. The production of a vaccine takes between 6-9 months. During this time the strain has the tendency to grow more powerful and more dangerous (every single pandemic in the past had a mild wave in the beginning, and then a powerful, deadly wave 4-12 months later). Pandemics of the past were more deadly because of lack of education, lack of of surveillance and lack of technology. We are extremely lucky that we now live in a time where we can alert people quickly, and get proper treatment and vaccines ready to battle the disease.

If history is any indicator, the 2nd wave that is yet to come will be more deadly and more dangerous.....

I for one am glad agencies are being pro-active and determining this a level 6 pandemic. It will increase the urgency to get vaccines ready and will help us be better prepared when the second wave hits.